Philadelphia defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) has a laugh with newly acquired Eagles running back Jay Ajayi during his first practice with the Eagles. (Clem Murray/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

No hard feelings?

Running back Jay Ajayi continues to “love” his former teammates on the Dolphins, he told the Philadelphia media Wednesday in his first appearance with reporters there after being traded for a fourth-round draft choice.

“It’s a business and at the end of the day, I can honestly say I respect the Dolphins for giving me the opportunity to chase my dream of being in the NFL and I can say I respect all my teammates,” Ajayi said.

“I love those guys. Bled, fought, won a lot of games with them and enjoyed my time as a Miami Dolphin. But at the end of the day, God had another plan for me and that was to be here, be on the Philadelphia Eagles. We’re 7-1 and I’m excited about that, with the opportunity to go get this thing.”

Ajayi didn’t directly address philosophical differences with Dolphins coach Adam Gase, which led to the deal.

“Those are the criticisms that are out there,” Ajayi said. “I can only speak on how I view myself and I view myself as a team guy and I’m excited to be here on the Eagles, excited for the opportunity. And that stuff at the end of the day is in the past. I woke up today as a Philadelphia Eagle and I’m very excited about that.”

A major criticism from Gase was that Ajayi was always looking for the home run. Ajayi took issue with it when asked how he goes about taking what the defense gives.

“I think that my style is my style,” Ajayi said. “I don’t think it’s a style of always looking to bounce. I think it’s a style of taking what the defense gives you and creating things when there’s nothing there. I think that’s a lot of my style being able to break tackles, downhill and being able to make big plays for the team. I don’t think that’s going to change.”

Ajayi said the trade caught him by surprise.

“It’s been crazy,” he said. “Never thought I’d be traded. That’s something a little bit of a new challenge, new adversity but I feel like I’m built for it. Had a lot of ups and downs in my career. I’m excited to have this.”

Although the Dolphins had been substituting Ajayi on third down, he still sees himself as a versatile back.

“I view myself as a three-down guy,” he said. “I can be counted on to do anything that the offense needs me to do.”

Ajayi’s presence will take carries away from LeGarrette Blount, the Eagles’ leading rusher. But Ajayi said he and Blount had gotten to know each other of late and their relationship is cordial.

“I’ve been able to build a respect relationship with him and we’ve had conversations here and there,” Ajayi said. “Now being a teammate, it’s a just a really cool dynamic now. … Especially with me being the new guy, I’m just trying to join with whatever they’ve got going and not try to be a distraction or anything. Just trying to help.”